Combined electrical and mechanical tuning instrument



Feb.`4, 1941.

J. H. lTEM' Erm.

COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TUNING INSTRUMENT 4 sheets-snee 1 Filed Nov. 54. 195s -Feb.'4v, 1941. I J, H, TEAF E-AL 2,230,852

COMBINED ELECTRICAL ANDNECHANICAL TUNING INSTRUMENT Filed Nov. 5, 1938 4 Shee'shet 2 INVENToRs 455,4 daa H Q/af ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1941. 1 H TEAF E1- AL v 2,230,852

COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TUNING INSTRUIIBNT Filed Nov. 5, 1938 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvNToRs L JMW E BY en ATTORNEY*- Feb. 4, 1941. ,1 H TEAF ErAL I y 2,230,852

COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TUNING INSTRUMENT."

Filved Nov. 5. 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TUNING INSTRUMENT Jersey Application November 5, 1938, Serial No. 239,058

17 Claims.

rlI'his invention relates to a unitary tuning structure or instrument for radio Work and especially adapted for use in connection with radio receiving sets.

For convenience and to facilitate accurate tuning of broadcast stations, it has been proposed to use a mechanical tuning mechanism having a plurality of manually operated members, each of which corresponds to a personally preselected frequency or station, and which members are operatively connected with a tuning device such as a condenser, so that each desired station may be tuned by any operating manual and that only this manual need be operated to bring in this station.

The mechanical devices so far proposed for this work have been separate mechanisms or adjuncts which must be interconnected with the tuning device, whether it be a condenser or variable inductor. This means that two separate pieces of apparatus must be provided with interconnecting means, all of Which mustof necessity be handled separately in manufacture, shipping and installation in the radio set.

Furthermore, in these separated prior art structures when, as is usually the case, the tuning instrument is a condenser, these are constructed so that the rotors turn 180 from the position of minimum to maximum capacity, and to get this 180 of movement of the rotors, the mechanical devices heretofore have had to be geared up to the condenser either by direct gearing or the equivalent.

It is the principal object of our invention to provide a unitary structure or instrument which includes the tuning means per se as well as the operating mechanism therefor by which the desired number of stations may be selected by simple mechanical devices incorporated asa part of the unitary structure.

Another object of our invention is to provide a unitary structure or instrument having as a part thereof a tuning device per se such as a condenser which can be moved from the minimum to r its maximum capacity by turning the rotor within such limit of angle that the mechanical operating members, one for each frequency, will be capable of moving the rotor of the condenser through its full effective tuning range Without any intermediate gearing or the like.

Another object of our invention is to provide manually operable means, one for each desired frequency, which will act directly on the rotor of the tuning condenser or condensers.

Another object of our invention is to provide a combination unitary instrument which is smaller and more compact than the separate devices now on the market and which is likewise cheaper to manufacture and more eillcient in its operation.

These and other objects will be discernible to one skilled in this art from a reading of the specification taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View on an enlarged scale of the bottom oi a. two-gang condenser having four manuals incorporated asa part of the unit.

Figure 2 is a part-sectional and part-elevational view taken transversely across the unit shown in Figure l, with certain parts being removed, but with the rotor in the position of minimum capacity and the condenser being turned to upright position.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of one of the manuals or operating structures shown in. Figure l.

Figure 4 is a view of Figure 3 looking in the direction oi the horizontal arrow of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, with one side of the clamping lever shown in Figure 3 being broken away. I

Figure 6 is a view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but with the setting device shown in dotted lines in a different positionr Figure 8 is a view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3. b Figure 9 is a perspective view of an operating Figure 10 is a view of a clamping lever which holds the setting device in position on the bar of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view of one of the details used in connection with the rotor.

Figure 12 is a modified form of setting device.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the setting device of Figure 12 in position.

Figure 14 shows a modified form of a manual control unitil Figure 15 is a view on the line I 5-l5 of Figure 144 Figure 16 is a partial view similar to Figure 2, but showing a slightly modified form of rotor construction.

Figure 17 `is a view similar to Figure 16 but showing a further modiiled form of rotor and setting device construction.

Figure 18 is a partial view showing a modified form of the end of one of the manual control members.

Figure 19 is a view on the line |3-I3 of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a view on the line 26-23 of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end of the sliding bar shown in Figure 18.

In the diil'erent views of the drawings, wherein like numbers .correspond to various parts, the unitary structure or instrument as shown in Figure 1 has a frame made up of end plates I and 2 held together by frame bars 3 and 4, as well as stator support bars 5 and 3 which, as shown, are swedged into suitable notches in the end plates I and 2. The plates I and 2 are provided with threaded studs or mounting members I for mounting the condenser -on a suitable support. As shown in Figure 1, the unit carries two stator groups of plates 8 which are provided with suitable tie bars preferably soldered to terminal plates 9 and I0 carried on their respective insulators and 2 which in turn are fastened in any satisfactory manner, as by rivets I3, to the stator support bars I5 and 6. A shield plate 66 is positioned between the two stators and carries friction and rotor-grounding springs 69.

As shown in Figure 1, each stator is provided with a trimmer plate' I4 which is directly connected to the stator bar 3 but insulated from its terminal by a suitable insulator such as a piece of mica l5 and adjustable by a screw I6. Each rotor is composed of a plurality of plates I1 fastened to the shaft I 8 in any satisfactory manner such as set forth in Swope Patent 1,620,244, issued March 8, 1927. The rotor shaft I8 is supported between the frame members I and 2 in any satisfactory manner as by suitable bearings such as illustrated in vCramer Patent 1,800,719, issued April 14, 1931. v Fastened to the rotor shaft I8, just inside the frame members I and 2, are yoke members I9, each yoke being provided with a throat itting the shaft I8. Extending between the yoke members I6 are engagement means or members 2| for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

Since the manuals or means for operating the tuning element are all alike, a description of one will suiice for all. One of these manuals is illustrated in Figure 3 and associated figures, and is composed of a bar member 22 having one end 23 adapted to slide in suitable slots or orifices in a rear guide plate or bar 24 which is held in place in the frame members I and 2 by means of lugs 25 which are engaged by slots in the end of the plate 24 and held in piace by any suitable means such as drive pins 26. The front end 21 of .the bar 22 is supported in a suitable orifice in the front guide plate 23. The bar 22 has a projection 23 having a hole 33 at its extremity. At the base of the projection 23 the bar is provided with an orifice 3| which opens to the front end of the bar by means of a' slot 32. What may be termed the inner surface of the projection 29 is arcuately formed at 33 to provide aseat for a positioning element or setting device 34 which also has a similarly arcuately formed surface 35 to engage the seat 33. The setting device34 is held in place on the seat 33 by a lever 36 pivoted by a pivot pin 31 passing through the hole 33 in the projection 23. The lever 36 is U or channel-shaped'at the point where the section line 3-3 is taken, the lever having two sides connected by a yoke 33 which embracesthe setting device 34. The device 34 is provided with claws 33 and 43 which limit the arcuate movement of the member 34 on its seat 33, it being understood that the setting device 34 is assembled within the lever 36 before the lever is attached to its pivot 31 carried by the projection 23.

The lower end of the opposite sides of the lever 36 has rectangular-shaped slots 4| therein. When the lever 36 is in place on the bar 22, the slots 4I are in alignment or cooperative position with the opening 3| in the bar 22, and during assembly operation a polygonally-shaped nut 42 is located transversely of the lever 36 in the slots 4I and in the opening 3| which is provided with an extension 43 for assembling the nut into position, better shown in Figure 6, wherein it is seen that the nut 42 has grooves 44 which receive the edges 45 forming the top and bottom of the opening 3|.

Pitloned in the slot 32 is a rod 46 which is threaded into the nut 42 as clearly indicated in Figure 5. The rod 46 is held to the end 21 of the bar 22 by a collar 41 which is preferably swedged into place thereon. On the outer end of the rod 46 is mounted, in any satisfactory manner, a push-button 43 preferably having a knurled head 43.

It will be readily understood that when the rod 46 is turned in right-hand direction by the button 48, the nut 42 will be caused to travel toward the button carrying the end of the lever 36 with it, thereby drawing the yoke 38 tightly against the setting device 34 and at the same time forcing the inner end of the rod 46 against the wall 50, thereby securely locking the setting device or positioning element 34 against the seat 33 of the bar 22.

When it is desired to connect or tune in a certain station or frequency with one of the manuals, one of the buttons 43 is rotated to release the setting device 34 and at the same time the button is pushed in, causing the bar 22 to slide inwardly so that the ends 6I and 52 of the setting device 34 will engage the engagement means or bars 2| comprising an integral part of the rotor structure, it being understood that at this time the shaft I8 of the rotor has been turned by a suitable hand-control connected thereto so as to tune in the desired station. Holding the rotor then in this exact tuning position and with the surfaces 5I and 32 both in engagement with their respective bars 2| on the rotor, the member 34 is locked in position in the manner heretofore described so that thereafter, to select this station, all that is required is merely to push in on the button 43.- It may be noted in passing that the arcuate seat for the positioning element or setting device 34 has a phantom center of rotation, and is not adjustably movable about a pivot.

On releasing the botton 43 the sliding bar 22 is returned to normal position by a spring 53 attached at one end to a hole 54 in the bar 22, and at the other end to suitable fastening means in the frame member 23.

' Instead of using the yoke member I3, the bars 2|'may be fastened directly to the rotor plates I1 as shown in Figure 13, or the setting device 34 may be formed with 1118s I3 as shown in Figure 12, which may engage the bars 2| as shown in Figure 13, or they may directly engage a plurality of rotor plates.

The manuals may take the form as shown in Figures 14 and 15, in which asliding bar 33 has pivoted thereto a beam l1 slotted at its opposite ends to receive pins I3 positioned in slides and 'iil accosta which are adapted to contact, with the engagement bars 2|. The slides 59 and 60 are carried on a suitable support 6| having ledges B2 and 63 for properly supporting the slide members 59 and 60. The push'rod 46 is supported by lugs 64 and 65 formed from the bar 56 which is slotted to receive a member 66 that engages the cam surface 61` on the beam 51 when the screw 46 is turned inwardly as shown in Figure 15. Adjustment of the beam 51 is carried out in a similar manner as for the manuals shown in Figure.3.

In Figure 16 the bar members 1l) are made out of flat stocksformed semi-circular in'shape instead of being solid stock as shown in Figure 2; otherwise the construction and operation of the device is the same as in Figure 2. It may be noted, however, that instead of forming the members 10 substantially semi-circular as shown in Figure 16, they may be made channel-shaped with rounded corners, and the ends 52 of the member 34 made more curvilinearly so that theouter faces of the channels are in the same plane and no part of the member 34 passes beyond the plane or within the space bounded by the bar members 10.

Another modification of this same idea is shown in Figure 17, Where the bars 1l are at members and the ends of the member 34 are curvilinearly formed at 12.

In Figures 18 to 21 inclusive, the outer end 21 of the sliding bar member 22 has notches 13 formed therein to receive a transverse plate 14 having a hole therein to act as a guide for the outer end of the rod 46 having a slotted head 15 by which the rod 46 may be adjusted by means oi a screw driver after removing a cap 16 which is slidably positioned over the end 21 of the manual bar 22. The end 21 is provided with a lug 11 thrown outwardly from the sides of the bar which prevents the split portions of the bar .from changing their relative position, thereby rendering it easy to remove the cap 16 which is grooved as clearly shown in Figure 19 to receive the edges of the bar ends21. As shown in Figure i8, the cap 16 is shown in actuated position with respect to the panels 18.

if desired, the outer end 21 of the manual 22 may be provided with. an adjustable extension, the outer end of which may have a suitable cap similar to 16 so as to allow the combination unit structure to be mounted a distance back to the -panel i8 to take care of vvarious thicknesses of panels or changes in location of the unit Within the cabinet as required by dlierent radio set manufacturers.

It will be understood that the stator and rotor plates 8 and I1 respectively are formed to give the desired capacity tuning curve and also, they are formed and positioned so that the rotor will move from minimum to maximum capacity position by being turned through an angle of approximately 80 to 90 degrees.

'From what has been said, it will be understood that certain of the details may be varied without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A unitary structure for the purpose described, including a frame, tuning elements, one of which is movable, for a radio set, carried within the frame, a plurality of manually operable members slidably mounted on the frame and each having an arcuately formed part with the ends thereof adapted to successively engage' spaced points on said movable element to move the same to a predetermined position for the purpose described, said part being bodily shiftable to its operative position.

2. A unitary structure for the purpose described including a frame, at ieast one stator and rotor mounted within said frame, a piurality of slidable members carried by the frame, each member comprising a bar having a push button for operating it and also having an intermediate projection, a surface of which is arcuately formed, a member pivotally carried on said projection and extending downwardly to the base thereof and across the bar, a part having its ends formed to engage the rotor to turn the same, said part having an arcuateiy formed surface to fit the arcuately formed surface on said projection, means on said pivoted member to position said part and grip and hold it in adjusted position, and means carried by said bar for moving said pivoted member te permit adjustment of said part and then lock the same in position.

3. A unitary structure for the purpose described including' a frame, at least one stator and rotor mounted within said frame, a, plurality of slidable members carried by the frame, each member comprising a bar having a push button for operating it and also having an intermediate projection, a surface o-i' which is arcuately formed, a member pivotally carried on said projection and extending downwardly to the base thereof and across the bar and having a U-shaped cross-section which embraces said projection and a section of the bar, a part having its ends formed to engage the rotor to turn the same, said part having an arcuateiy formed surface to fit the arcuately formed surface on said projection, means on said pivoted member to hold the said part in adjusted posi- ,l

tion. and means, including a member carrying said push button and rotated thereby independent of the sliding action oi the bar, 'for :moving said pivoted member to permit adjustment ci? said part and then lock the same in msition.

4. A unitary structure for the purpose described including a frame, at least one stator and rotor mounted within said frame, a piu.- rality of slidable members carried by the frame,

each member comprising a nar having a push button for operating it and also having an intermediate projection, a surface of which is arcuately formed, a member pivotaily carried on said projection and extending downwardlyte the base thereof and across the bai-,and having a U-shaped cross-section which embraces said projection and a section of the bar, a part having its ends formed to engage the rotor to turn the same, said part having an arcuately formed surface 'to t the arcuately formed surilace (on said projection, means on said pivoted member to hold the said part in adjusted position, said pivoted member having a transverse slot in both arms of the U near the tree `end thereof, said bar having an opening therescribed including a frame, at least one stator and rotor mounted within said frame, a plurality of manually operable members carried by the frame and each having a part adapted to directly engage the rotor to turn it, said partv being arcuately formed and positioned in an arcuately formed seat, means for holding said part in any adjusted position onsaid seat, said part being bodily slidable'in its seat when released and moved for adjustment to match a chosen frequency.

6. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, timing elements,o'ne of which is movable, carried within the frame, a plurality of movable members also carried by the frame for moving said movable element to a predetermined tuning position, each of the movable members comprising a bar slidably' mounted in the frame. the bar having a projection, a lever pivoted to the end of said projection and extending downwardly over thebar, a setting device slidably carried between the lever and the projection and adjustable means interlocking between the end of the lever opposite the pivot and the bar for moving the lever so said device is gripped in an adjusted position, and means for sliding the bar to cause said setting device to engage the movable member to move the same to said predetermined position.

7. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, tuning elements, one of which is movable, carried within theframe, a plurality of movable members also carried by the frame for ,5. moving said movable element to a predetermined 3 tuning'position, each of the movable members comprising a bar slidably mounted in the frame, the bar having a projection. a lever having spaced sides pivoted at one end to the end of the projection and extending downwardly so its sides embrace the projection and bridge the bar, a setting device slidably pomtioned between the sides of the lever and against the projection with means for holding said device in place while being adjusted, said lever having a transverse slot in the end opposite its pivot,said bar having an opening therein in cooperative relation to the slot in the lever, a nut non-rotatably positioned in the lever slot but longitudinally movable in the bar opening, a rod carried by the bar and threaded into the nut, and means at the outer end of the rod for turning it to cause the nut to move on the threaded end, thereby shifting the lever, causing it to act on said setting device for adjusting and gripping the same, and means also located at the outer end of the rod for sliding the bar to cause said setting device to move the tuning element of the set.

8. Means for positioning a movable tuning elementofaradiosettotunablyrespondtoadesired frequency, said means including; a frame,

a sliding bar carried by the frame, the bar having a projection, a lever pivoted at one end to the end of the projection, a setting device carried between the lever and the projection on the bar, a shiftable connection betweenthe end of the lever away from the pivot and the bar, means carried by the bar for actuating said connection to adjust said setting device to a position .corresponding to a desired frequency, and means for sliding the bar to cause said setting device to engage said tuning element to move it to a position fixed by the setting device.

9. Means for positioning a movable tuning element of a radio set to tunably respond to a derod carried by the bar and having one end threaded into the nut, and means on the other end of the rod for turning it to cause the nut to travel longitudinally on the threaded end of the rod, thereby 'moving the lever to free and grip said setting device between the lever and projection for adjusting it to correspond to a desired frequency and fastening it in operative position, and means associated with the bar and rod to slide said b ar, thereby causing the setting device to engage the tuning element and move it to tuning position.

10. Means for angularly positioning the rotatable member of a variable condenser of a radio set to a desired frequency, said means including, a frame, a sliding bar carried by the frame, the bar having a projection, a lever pivoted at one end to the end of the projection, the projection having a curved seat portion, a setting device having a curved surface to ilt against said curved seat, and spaced surfaces to engage arcuately spaced portions on said rotatable member, the setting device being held in place by said lever, the non-pivotal end of the lever having a shiftable connection between it and the bar, means carried by the bar for actuating said connection to adjust said setting device to a position corresponding to a desired frequency, and means for sliding the bar to cause said setting device .to engage and'turn the rotatable member to a position fixed by the setting device.

1l. In a radio tuning device including in combination, a single frame structure, a variable condenser comprising stator and rotor groups of plates mounted within the frame, the stator and rotor plates being formed and mounted so the rotor plates may be moved from minimum to maximum capacity by turning the rotor through an arc range of ninety degrees or less, engagement -parts integral with the rotor, a plurality of adjustable positioning elements adapted to engage said engagement parts, and manually operated members, one for each adjustable element, for supporting its said element on a curved peripheral surface to allow the positioning element to shift bodily on said curved surface about a pivotless phantom center.

12. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, stator and rotor groups of plates .mounted within the frame, the rotor having means for being rotatably acted upon, manually operable members supported by the frame, each of said members having an element bodily shiftable for adjustment on an arcuately formed seat about a non-pivotal phantom center and adapted, when moved by its member, to engage said means on the rotor for turning the rotor to a predetermined position.

13. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, stator and rotor groups of plates mounted within the frame, the rotor having means for being rotatably acted upon, manually operable members slidably supported by the frame, eachof said members having an arcuately formed element with means for anchoring the element in a position determined by a chosen rotor setting, said element being bodily shiftable automatically to a chosen position when temporarily released by the anchoring means and the sliding member is operated for bringing the said means on the rotor and said element into engagement, the rotor being held in tuning position for a given frequency.

14. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, stator and rotor groups of plates mounted within the frame, bars carried by the rotor plates on the outer edges, one on each side ofthe rotor axis and having their outer surfaces in the same plane, manually operable members supported by, the frame, an adjustable element carried by each of said members and adapted, when moved by its member, to engage said outer surfaces of said rotor bars and turn the r'otor to a predetermined position.

15. A tuning instrument for a. radio set including a frame, stator and rotor groups of plates mounted within the frame, bars carried by the rotor groups, one on each side of their axes, manually operable members supported by the frame, a pivotless positioning element adjustably carried by each of said members and adapted, when moved by its member, to engage said bars in a plane which is completely exterior to the space between said-bars and turn the rotor to a predetermined position.

16. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, tuning elements, one of which is movable, carried within the frame, a plurality of movable members also carried by the frame -for moving said movable element to a predetermined tuning position, each of the movable members comprising a bar slidably mounted in the frame, the bar having a projection, a lever pivoted to the end of said projection and extending downwardly over the bar, a setting device slidably carried between the lever and the projection and adjustable means interlocking between the end of the lever opposite the pivot and the bar for moving the lever so said device is gripped in an adjusted' position, said interlocking means including a nut carried by the lever transversely across the bar and a rod threaded into the nutV and' extending longitudinally of the bar toward its outer end, a cap removably positioned over the end of the bar concealing the head of the rod, said cap also serving to transmit a pushing force to the bar to slide the same and move the setting device into engagement with said movable element to move it to said predetermined position.

17. A tuning instrument for a radio set including a frame, tuning elements, one of which is movable, carried within the frame, a plurality of movable members also carried by the frame for moving said movable element to a predetermined tuning position, each of the movable. members comprising a. bar slidably mounted in the frame, the bar having a projection, a lever pivoted to theend of said projection and extending downwardly over the bar, a setting device slidably carried between the lever and the projection and adjustable means interlocking between the end of the lever opposite the pivot and the bar for moving the lever so said device is gripped in an adjusted position, said interlocking means including a rod carried by the bar and threaded into a part carried by the non-pivotal end of said lever, the outer end offthe bar being divided into two portions between which the rod is positioned, a, bearing member onthe bar for the outer end of the rod, a lug formed outwardly from the plane of the bar and from said two portions, anchoring them in fixed relation, and a cap slidably mounted on the said two portions of the bar over the head of .the rod, lug and rod-bearing member.

JOHN H. '.tEAF. ALBERT G. SI-IAFER.` 

